The San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center is a California Non-Profit Corporation, 501(c)(3), founded in 2011.  Our mission is to promote a safe and inclusive San Gabriel Valley for people of all orientations and gender identities. We aim to enrich the lives of LGBTQ+ San Gabriel Valley residents by:

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• fostering advocacy, education, and respect for individuals

• encouraging cultural diversity, healthy living, and full achievement of personal potential

• improving the overall visibility of the SGV LGBTQ community within the general population

• providing locally available, culturally competent programs and services

• promoting interconnection amongst the SGV LGBTQ community

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About the SGV

The San Gabriel Valley (SGV) is a culturally, ethnically, and racially diverse community of 2 million people. It spans over 285 square miles, and encompasses 31 incorporated cities and 5 unincorporated communities. SGV residents are predominantly those of Latinx (45%) and Asian (28%) descent. 

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The SGV is home to the largest diaspora of Chinese American communities in the United States, with substantial populations in the cities of Alhambra, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Rosemead, Rowland Heights, Diamond Bar, and Arcadia.

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The SGV was originally home to the Tongva people, who lived throughout the Los Angeles Basin for thousands of years before being displaced and enslaved by Spanish settlers in the 1800s. The ancestors of the Tongva still reside here today.

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History of The Center

The San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center (originally the Pasadena Pride Center) was founded in 2011, in response to a nationwide string of LGBTQ youth suicides. The first board was a coalition of LGBTQ community leaders, and our initial mission was to provide a centralized point of contact for local community resources.

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We had several temporary homes over the years, with our most recent being Prince Erik Hall & Gardens in Arcadia, California. We know that the closing of our physical space in 2021 has affected the LGBTQ+ folks of the SGV and we are deeply saddened by this. However, the closing supercharged our Board of Directors to locate a permanent home for The Center. 

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The San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center is currently partnered with the City of El Monte and operates at Mountain View Park, an auditorium style building that has served as our home since March of 2022. In March of 2023 we began re-welcoming folks into our new facility and are mindfully bringing back our most popular programs. Visit sgvlgbtq.org/calendar to hear about how you can visit our facility! 

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Looking Toward the Future

In order to build a stronger, more strategic movement for the future, The SGV LGBTQ Center is seeking financial resources to help us advance community awareness, security, and safety for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. 

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Currently, the Center is open only during programming hours, and drop-in hours during the San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ+ Center's second art-exhibition. Queer Futurism: Transcendence in Time will be on display October 1-31st, on Saturdays from 11-2pm and Sundays from 3-6pm PT. 

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In addition, we hope to hire an Executive Director who will be responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the Center.  In order to achieve these goals, we are asking for financial support from the community. Click here to learn more about our fundraising campaign, Building Pride.

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